Chapter 3
Chapter 3
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 3
Chapter Title: To the Rhineland Front (2)
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“Deputy Platoon Leader Michael Schmidt Sergeant and the 33 men under him report that as of April 22, Imperial Year 220, we have come under the command of Cadet Peter Jaeger! Loyalty!”
The deputy platoon leader saluted with impeccable posture and a booming voice, but the other recruits hesitated awkwardly with their salutes.
Seeing that, I couldn't help thinking that even if training these rookies was my mission, this was pushing it too far.
For a split second, I was tempted to bark orders at them like the other Imperial officer cadets would do.
But considering I'd have to lead these men from here on out, I couldn't afford to do something so insane.
After all, not knowing things wasn't a crime unless we were in the thick of battle with enemy blades flying.
So, after returning their salute, I faced the soldiers and spoke loudly.
“As you all know, I'm Peter Jaeger, your new platoon leader starting today. From now on, whenever you see a superior officer, salute like the deputy just did to show respect. I'll demonstrate, so follow along.”
As I said that, all 66 eyes locked onto me.
“Raise your right arm straight ahead, then bend your elbow inward like this with your hand flat. Your palm should face the ground, and your middle finger should nearly touch your right eyebrow. The deputy will report again, and when he does, you salute exactly as I showed you. Got it?”
“Got it, sir.”
“Too quiet! From now on, when your superior gives an order, you trainees will respond at the top of your lungs every time. If your voices are small next time, you'll all face harsh punishment as a group. Got it?”
No matter how strict the Imperial army's hierarchy and military law were due to its class system, no one ever applied military discipline to recruits for speaking softly or botching a salute.
Everyone knew it was perfectly natural for trainees to mess up before heading to the frontlines.
Not that I could say it for the sake of my dignity, but even I had screwed up the final slogans I wasn't supposed to shout during my first-year academy training, along with salutes and drill execution.
The instructors, who were itching to nitpick, had let the first week's mistakes slide with mostly just penalty drills.
Plus, even justified punishments under military law reflected poorly on a commander's unit management if they became too frequent.
So the best policy was to avoid them as much as possible.
But the recruits must have found the threat of severe punishment terrifying, because their faces tensed up in no time, and they bellowed in response.
“Got it, sir!”
Only then did I feel a bit relieved, sensing that some discipline was starting to take root among the men under my command.
It had barely been five minutes, but seeing them grasp the need to shout loud made me a little proud.
As a commander—no, to anyone—it might seem trivial.
But a thousand-mile journey to elite status began with a single step.
“Reporting again! Deputy Platoon Leader Michael Schmidt Sergeant and the 33 men under him report that as of April 22, Imperial Year 220, we have come under the command of Cadet Peter Jaeger! Loyalty!”
With that, the 32 soldiers behind him raised their hands in unison and saluted.
The sight of over 30 men moving as one at my command was truly exhilarating.
If I exaggerated a bit, it felt like all the hardships and injustices I'd endured since reincarnating in this world were washing away.
“Good. Now that you're under my command as platoon leader, I'll tell you what I expect from you. I'm only saying this once, so listen up and remember it.”
“Yes, sir!”
Their postures were still a bit sloppy, but every one of them focused intently on me.
I was struck again by how intoxicating the sense of superiority was from over 30 people moving in perfect unison at my order.
“I have just two expectations from you. First, follow my orders without question. Second, never forget that as members of my Jaeger Platoon, you are all one body.”
No matter how tactics evolved or eras changed, these two principles were eternal truths of any army.
Like the saying that truth is simple and uncomplicated, even a seven- or eight-year-old kid could understand 'obey orders without fail, and you are one body.'
Yet units that truly embodied these were hailed as elite in every age.
So I wanted the Jaeger Platoon under my lead to uphold these truths rigorously and earn that elite reputation.
“If you keep these two simple but vital principles, I promise you as your platoon leader: I will reward you. When your three-year conscription ends, I'll ensure you return home safely with pride. I'll remember every single one of your merits and make sure you get proper recognition after each battle. And when we celebrate victory, I'll spare no expense on booze and meat.”
At those words, the soldiers stared blankly at each other, tilting their heads as if forgetting I was even speaking.
It was just standard pep talk from Korean company or platoon leaders back home, but to these era's recruits, it must have sounded utterly novel.
Imperial commanders usually boosted morale by invoking the glory of fighting for His Imperial Majesty the Emperor—nothing about concrete rewards for the troops.
But as an Imperial commander myself, I couldn't skip the Emperor bit.
“So fight with the duty of soldiers for His Imperial Majesty the Emperor! Then I guarantee you this: you'll all return home as sons your families can boast about, husbands any woman would be proud of, and providers with honor and fulfillment. Long live His Imperial Majesty the Emperor!”
With that, the deputy and the soldiers echoed back with voices that seemed genuinely impressed.
“Long live! Long live!”
“Long live His Imperial Majesty the Emperor!”
I had no idea if they truly felt loyalty to an Emperor they'd never even seen.
But at least their eyes held no doubt or distrust toward me.
For a first step as platoon leader, I'd done pretty well.
Of course, a good start didn't guarantee everything would go smoothly, but it sure raised the odds of a good finish.
“Before we dive into full training, we'll do something simple today. Watch closely as I demonstrate.”
As I spoke, the deputy turned to the men and barked for them to focus.
Seeing that, I could see why online posts always said a good deputy was essential for running a platoon.
Pushing those thoughts aside, I demonstrated marching as I'd seen in drill videos.
Arms straight out at 45 degrees, steps about 60cm apart, I paced steadily from the left end of the line to the right and back.
The deputy and soldiers stared oddly, but I ignored it and explained.
“Normally, training divides you into pikemen for long spears and crossbowmen, each learning their weapon. But I believe a platoon leader should first teach the entire platoon to move as one body. So today, learn to march in sync as I showed you.”
The recruits sensed this differed from what they'd heard, and the deputy spoke for them.
“Sir, there's only a month left until training ends. Shouldn't we start with weapon handling first?”
If he'd raised that point while I was planning operations at the front, I'd have answered.
His opinion had merit, and it was more efficient for soldiers to understand and execute orders than to train blindly with doubts.
But right now, I needed to establish my authority.
Explaining the meaning of drill to the recruits and deputy wouldn't make them get it anyway.
“Sergeant Schmidt, follow orders. But I guarantee this: it's the best way to build unity among 30 men and boost combat power. Today's training ends once you all sync your steps for five minutes. You won't claim marching in line is too hard, will you?”
Unaware of drill's terror yet, the recruits' eyes lit up at the promise of quick end and shouted.
“We can do it, sir!”
How was it that recruits were clueless about drill's horrors, whether in Korea or the Reich Empire?
Once they tried it, they'd grit their teeth at the mere mention of 'drill' long after training ended.
“Good. On my commands: one, move right foot and left arm; two, left foot and right arm, alternating to match steps.”
With that, I began drill training with my platoon's soldiers.
Needless to say, the recruits who started full of confidence they'd wrap up in 30 minutes...
Kept syncing hands and feet through drill until the sun dipped low.
Yet somehow, their basic arm and leg movements began falling into place.
The most crucial element in pike infantry combat was quietly taking shape.
I didn't know how others ran their platoons, but for this assignment, sticking to this training would let me beat anyone—I felt that confidence surging.
Because with the academy training methods I'd known so far, forging a unit that moved as one body in just a month was a pipe dream.
Korean soldiers' nightmare—you've probably heard of drill training, right?